Grade 2 Certificates
2023 Program is Now Full - sorry!
Rob has over 30 years experience coaching whitewater kayaking and 18 years with Coast to Coast athletes of all calibers. This comprehensive Grade 2 course is designed to give you all the skills for an enjoyable race day on the Waimakariri River. Don't underestimate the importance of "time" developing your whitewater skills.
Summary
Phase 1
Location: Orewa Estuary
Time: 10 hours of Coaching split over various sessions (Equivalent of 2 full days)
Date: Availability through May, June, July August & September. Please discuss timings with Rob.
Aim: To develop a solid skill set of flat water and moving water skills to allow for an enjoyable transition to a Grade 2 river (The Mohaka or similar)
Equipment: You should be aiming to build your kayaking equipment as per the Coast to Coast list at the bottom of this page.
Phase 2
Location: Mohaka River, Hawkes Bay
Time: 4 days
Date: October School Holiday 2023
Dates 5-8 October (Thursday to Sunday)
Accommodation: http://www.mohakariverfarm.co.nz/
Please note accommodation has been pre-booked with Mohaka River Farm. Please liaise with Rob regarding your room allocation and cost.
Cost $ 1750 incl gst
Price does not include kayak or equipment hire, food, travel or accommodation. See below for full details:
Course Details
Phase 1 - Orewa
This phase is the basis for a strong Grade 2 experience and successful assessment on the Mohaka river. It consists of at least 10 hours of coaching, or the equivalent of a 2 day training course. The syllabus is broken into 1, 2 or 3 hour blocks and delivered over multiple sessions. The aim is to introduce concepts and techniques and for the athlete to then spend time practising during their own training time. Please discuss session times with Rob.
Forwards paddle technique.
You spend of lot of time paddling forwards, whether you are using a wing paddle or a regular blade, it is vitally important to develop good technique as the base for everything else. Strong efficient forwards paddling will not only give you endurance but also stability in rough water.
Base paddle strokes
Reverse paddling & stopping
Steering & turning using rudders and sweep strokes.
Draw strokes (moving sideways)
Bracing for stability in whitewater
Railing or edge control.
Introduction to Moving Water (Whitewater Skills)
River features, terminology and river signals
Breaking in and out of eddies
Ferry gliding
Stability & control in rough water
Safety & Rescue
Equipment requirements
River hazards, broaching, strainers, foot entrapment.
Capsize & self rescue including efficient emptying of kayak.
Deep water "team" rescue (re-enter your kayak on the river)
Stern deck rescue
Safe swimming position including assertive swimming to safety
Use of rescue throwbags
Hypothermia
Phase 2 - Mohaka River
Location: Mohaka River, Hawkes Bay
Time: 4 days
Date: October school holidays 2023 - 4th to 8th October 2023
Accommodation: http://www.mohakariverfarm.co.nz/
Please note accommodation has been pre-booked with Mohaka River Farm. Please liaise with Rob regarding your room allocation.
Equipment: You MUST bring all compulsory equipment - see below. You may also wish to bring a wetsuit, if you have one, as you will spend time swimming in the beautiful waters of the Mohaka.
Now we are in to the nitty gritty of your Grade 2 Certificate, time on a real grade 2 river! The Mohaka River is located in the Hawkes Bay. We will spend the days progressively building your skills and confidence with continual assessment throughout the 4 days. If you have graduated from phase 1 then you should have no problems achieving your Grade 2 qualification by the end of the course.
Throughout the course we build on everything you have covered in phase 1 and develop your river reading skills so that you can pick great lines through the rapids. You will develop your understanding of river features and hazards such as eddylines, wave trains, bluffs, side currents, boils, rocks, cliffs, trees and strainers.
